The species is endemic to the sandy beaches and shallow coastal waters of the Australian continental shelf.

[6] This animal can be 31 to 37 inches long and about 100 kg in weight The flatback sea turtle was originally described as Chelonia depressa in 1880 by American herpetologist Samuel Garman.

[11] The main nesting sites in this range are the southern Great Barrier Reef, Wild Duck, and Curtis Island.

[11] In the Western Australia area, the important nesting sites found have been the Kimberley Region, Cape Dommett, and the Lacrosse Island.

[11] The flatback sea turtle lives in the shallow, soft-bottomed tropical and subtropical waters.

This turtle sticks to the continental shelf of Australia and can be found in grassy areas, bays, lagoons, estuaries, and any place with a soft-bottomed sea bed.

[5][12] The habitats that females prefer for nesting sites are sandy beaches in tropical and subtropical areas.

[6] The hatchlings tend to stay close to shore and lack the pelagic phase of other sea turtles.

[8] While using her front flippers to dig, the female will clear away the dry sand located at the top.

[11] The flatback sea turtle is an omnivorous species, but predominantly eats a carnivorous diet.

[6] It has been found to feed on soft corals, sea cucumbers, shrimp, jellyfish, mollusks, and other invertebrates.

[6][11][14] The hatchlings also face predation from crabs, sea birds, and juvenile saltwater crocodiles on their journey to the waters.

[11] Due to their large size when they are born and their strong swimming skills, the likelihood of capture is lowered.

[6] On the International Union for the Conservation of Nature or the IUCN's official website the flatback sea turtle is listed as data deficient.

[8] The flatback sea turtle is specifically threatened by the direct harvest of eggs and meat by the indigenous people of Australia for traditional hunting.

[11] Coastal development contributes to barriers that make it difficult or impossible for adult turtles to reach nesting and feeding sites.

[16] In 2003, a recovery plan was set in place nationally to help this species along with other sea turtles.

This plan aims to reduce mortality rates through actions within commercial fisheries and to maintain a sustainable harvest by Indigenous people.

Monitoring programs are being developed and integrated, along with managing factors that affect the reproductive success of this species.

There are also efforts to enhance the spread of information about the flatback sea turtle as well as cooperation and actions internationally.